Have you ever thought to yourself, “should I wait and see or go visit a PT?” We get it, it is difficult to know if the injury is serious and requires a visit to a physical therapist. Which is why we decided to put together six ways to determine when it is time to see a physical therapist.

Lingering pain – When you first notice an ache or pain, especially if it is a sports injury, spend 20 minutes several times a day icing the affected area. If the pain lingers after three or four days of resting and icing, it is time to see a physical therapist.

Reoccurring dull pain – Pain should subside after rest and icing, but if the injury is more serious symptoms will repeatedly come back until the underlying injury has been addressed.

One traumatic event – Some injuries are easy to spot, like a muscle tear or broken bone caused by one traumatic event – if this is the case, you are going to want to come in and get it checked out.

Pain medication does not help the pain – If over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relief drugs are not relieving your pain, it is time to get it checked out.

Pain is acute and sharp – If the pain is sharp and centralized it can be an indication of a more serious injury such as a muscle pull or stress fracture, it is definitely a good idea to see a physical therapist.

Noticeable or visible changes – You know your body best, if something feels off it is never a bad idea to seek professional opinion.

At the end of the day, you have one body to carry you through the rest of your life if you are even considering the fact that you might need to see a physical therapist it is better to be safe than sorry. Here at Contact Physical Therapy we are committed to helping you live your best life, if you are unsure if you need physical therapy come in for a complimentary injury screen. Contact Us today to schedule with one of our experienced physical therapists!

Patient Stories

"My physical therapist was not only knowledgable in all his work, but I enjoyed his company and how easy it was to understand what he wanted me to do and the reason for doing so. I would advise any family member or friend to go to Contact for any physical therapy needs!"
- Frances F.
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